Education

Learn more about your child’s dental care and oral health.

General Topics

What Is a Pediatric Dentist?A pediatric specialist is a dentist who has received additional training, usually two or three years. This training is in addition to their time spent at dental school and focuses on the dental and oral health of infants, children, adolescents and teenagers.

Why Are the Primary Teeth So Important?Problems in primary (baby) teeth can negatively affect the health of your child’s smile and adult teeth. Keeping them healthy helps ensure the proper development of your child’s teeth.

Eruption of Your Child’s TeethBefore your child is born, their first teeth start to develop. These can appear as early as 4 months, erupting through the gumline. The first teeth to appear are the lower, then the upper, central incisors.

Early Infant Oral Care

Perinatal and Infant Oral HealthIf a mother has periodontal disease, it can increase her child’s risk for low birth weight or early, preterm birth. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that pregnant mothers seek information and counseling about how to prevent periodontal disease and take care of their smile.

Your Child’s First Dental Visit — Establishing a “Dental Home”By their first birthday, your child should have a “dental home” so they can receive regular dental care, cleanings, exams and other preventive care. A trusted office does more than provide emergency dental care and can keep your child’s teeth safe and healthy.

Prevention

Good Diet = Healthy TeethWith the right food and diet, your child’s teeth can become strong and healthy. The teeth, bones and other parts of the mouth need a mixed diet that contains the nutrients they need. Constant snacking on foods with added sugar can lead to cavities and tooth decay.

How Do I Prevent Cavities?It is important to remove bacteria buildup and food particles each day. If a child is too young to brush and floss, the gums can be wiped down with a washcloth to remove plaque. Also, parents can help protect their child’s teeth by only providing a baby bottle filled with water when they go to bed.

Adolescent Dentistry

Tongue Piercing — Is It Really Cool?Though many people have piercings in their lips, cheeks and tongues, there are many risks with these kinds of piercings. These can include chips or cracks in their teeth, receding gums or scar tissue. However, patients can be at risk for more serious conditions as well, such as blood clots, blood poisoning, nerve disorders, heart infections and brain abscesses.

Tobacco — Bad News in Any FormBoth smoking and chewing tobacco can cause serious damage to the teeth, gums and mouth. Talk with your child about the risks of tobacco use. GoSmiles Dentistry is also here to help educate patients. Call 703-753-3346 if you have any other questions about dental care for our dentists in Gainesville, Virginia.